Roundtable Discussion on "The Universal Ban on Female Genital Mutilation is a goal within close reach"

On the occasion of the visit to Rome of four of the most committed African anti-FGM activists, the Nonviolent Radical Party, Transnational Transparty and No Peace Without Justice are organising a Roundtable Discussion on "The universal ban on female genital mutilation (FGM): a goal within reach", to be held in Rome (via di Torre Argentina 76) on 27 September 2010, from 11h00 to 13h00.

For nearly 30 years, Arab and African activists have been engaged in combating one of the most widespread and systematic violations of the most fundamental human rights, specifically the right to physical integrity. FGM is committed against 150 million women worldwide, in 27 African countries and in Yemen, as well as in Europe and North America, in which FGM is now practiced as a result of migration over recent decades.

In the last ten years, the longstanding dedication of women’s rights advocates and the increasing political commitment shown by affected States has led to significant progress. Twenty countries have currently enacted national legislation which prohibits and penalises FGM; the African Union has taken a strong position condemning the practice through the Maputo Protocol banning female genital mutilation as a violation of human rights; and many governments are engaged in the implementation of national action plans that, in conjunction with the law, provide information and awareness campaigns, especially in underdeveloped areas where the practice is more widespread.

These achievements have brought us to a pivotal moment in the fight against FGM. The universal ban on FGM, through the adoption of a specific resolution by the 65th General Assembly of the United Nations, is a goal within close reach.

Participants at the meeting will include, among others, Emma Bonino, Vice-President of the Italian Senate; Elisabetta Belloni, Director General of the Italian Cooperation; Mariam Lamizana, President of the Inter-African Committee against traditional practices; Ndeye Soukèye Gueye, representative of the Ministry for Family Affairs of Senegal; Khady Koita, President of La Palabre; and Marie Rose Sawadogo, Secretary of the National Committee for the fight against the practice of FGM in Burkina Faso.